Kelly Newell

Director

Kelly began her career with CDPE about 10 years ago, and has a unique perspective on program planning having been a coordinator, manager, and administrator. Her experience at CDPE also includes a year as a Program Manager with the Distance Degree Programs, where she learned the art of designing and delivering dynamic online courses. While she still manages a few conferences each year, her primary focus is on program development and online course management. If you are looking to design a brand new course or program, contact Kelly to get started creating an innovative curriculum together.

Janet York

Senior Manager, Puyallup

Janet has nearly 34 years of experience in meeting and event planning and program development, and has worked with CDPE since 1985. Janet has managed the nation’s largest sewing industry education and trade show, Sewing and Stitchery Expo, since its inception in 1984. The Sewing and Stitchery Expo regularly draws more than 32,000 attendees. Other conferences Janet is involved with include Partners in Emergency Preparedness, Western Bridge Engineers, and the Northwest Biosolids Management Association.

Michelle Johnson

Program Manager, Puyallup

Michelle has worked for CDPE for over seven years, coordinating programs ranging from 25 to 1,200 attendees. She has experience negotiating facility and catering contracts, arranging speaker contracts and travel, scheduling multiple concurrent sessions for multiple-day events, and planning receptions, pre-conference tours, poster sessions and vendor exhibits. Michelle has also handled online programs, registration details, and budget reconciliation. For the past three years, Michelle has served as a board member for the Society of Government Meeting Professionals.

Linda Kildew

Manager of Business and Finance, Pullman

Linda has been involved with CDPE for the past 12 years. Her areas of expertise include obtaining financial support, purchasing and cash-handling procedures, and negotiating facility and speaker contracts. Her current emphasis is on developing online programs and certificates. A few of the conferences Linda has managed include health care conferences, university housing conferences, parking industry conferences, youth conferences, and various seminars.

Tamara Kirk

Program Coordinator, Pullman

Tamara has seven years of experience in meeting planning and program development. In addition to coordinating program logistics, she coordinates the offering of Continuing Education Units for all CDPE programs. Conferences Tamara has been involved with include Inland Northwest Turf, Tree, and Landscape, Western Protective Relay Conference, Hands-On Relay School, and Western Power Delivery Automation.

Joy Thompson

Conference Manager, Pullman

Joy has been involved in meeting and event planning for nearly 10 years. Joy enjoys tackling the challenge of complex programs, and has a special interest in developing natural resources conservation and sustainability programs. Some of the programs that she has been involved with include Energy Outwest, Global Oil Depletion, Road Builders, Water in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Northwest Snowfighters, and the Hydrogeology Symposium.

Emily Houg

Program Coordinator, Puyallup

Emily has been coordinating conferences and special events for over seven years; in September 2006 she became a member of the CDPE staff. During her career she has had the privilege to help organize the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and travel around the world as a project manager for many hotels. Emily has experience in developing and implementing programs requiring marketing, financial management, negotiation, computer competency, human relations, administrative, and organizational skills.

Dana (Schlenker) Colwell

Program Coordinator, Puyallup

Dana has worked in the meeting planning industry since 2003, coordinating events ranging from 10 – 4,000 attendees. Conferences she coordinates include Harvesting Clean Energy, Partners in Emergency Preparedness, Pacific Northwest Bridge Inspectors, Pacific Northwest Bridge Maintenance, The Northwest Solar Summit, and The Military Kids and Families Summit. She enjoys problem-solving and working with her clients to produce a stress-free event. Dana is also a member of the Washington State Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, where she serves on the board as the director of marketing. She also volunteers for numerous committees.